San Lorenzo, la Ciudad Universitaria
A city founded in 1775 on a Jesuit estate, home to the UNA campus and a neo-Gothic cathedral unique in the country.
What it is
San Lorenzo is Paraguay's fifth most populous city, with 225,395 inhabitants according to the 2022 census, and is part of Greater Asunción. It is known as the University City because the central seat and campus of the National University of Asunción (UNA) are here. Its attractions include the neo-Gothic San Lorenzo Cathedral; the Natural History Museum of Paraguay, with fauna, flora and geology displays; a big urban park with a cycle path and sports areas; and a busy municipal market. The patron saint festival is on 10 August.
What to see and do
- The neo-Gothic San Lorenzo Cathedral
- The Natural History Museum of Paraguay
- The UNA university campus
- The municipal market and the park with a cycle path
Did you know…?
It grew out of a 17th-century Jesuit estate called Ñu Guazú, "big field" in Guaraní.
On 10 August, San Lorenzo's day, the city celebrates its patron saint festival.
History
San Lorenzo was officially founded on 10 August 1775 by Captain Agustín Fernando de Pinedo. It grew out of a 17th-century Jesuit estate called Ñu Guazú (Campo Grande), whose lands Pinedo took over after the Jesuits' expulsion in 1767.
Tips
- It is easy to reach from Asunción via Avenida Defensores del Chaco or Route PY02.
- If you want to see the patron saint festival, plan for 10 August.
Check opening hours before you go.
Best time: All year; 10 August for the patron saint festival.
Activities
Festivals and events here
Nearby
San Lorenzo · Central
Catedral de San Lorenzo
Paraguay's only neo-Gothic cathedral, built between 1919 and 1968, keeper of a clock from the 1850s.
Fernando de la Mora · Central
Kamba Kua (comunidad afroparaguaya)
Descendants of Artigas's lancers have kept the drums and the feast of San Baltasar alive since 1820.
Fernando de la Mora · Central
Parque Ecológico de Fernando de la Mora
A small municipal park of about 2 hectares, with natural paths and capybaras, next to the Campo Grande stream.
Capiatá · Central
Museo Mitológico Ramón Elías
The Pombero, the Kurupi and the Luisõ turned into sculpture: Guarani mythology as imagined by Ramón Elías.
Asunción · Asunción (Distrito Capital)
Mercado de Abasto de Asunción
The capital's biggest municipal market: 11 hectares of fruit, vegetables, meat, medicinal herbs and much more.
Capiatá · Central
Capiatá
A colonial-era church dedicated to Our Lady of Candelaria and a museum of Guarani myths, right on Route PY02.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 3 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.